Display stand



H. HORSFALL.

DISPLAY STAND.

APPLICATION FILED AER-.51 1920.

1,404,439. Patented Jan. 24,1922,

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- H. HORSFALL.

DISPLAY STAND.

APPLiCATlON FILED APR-5,1920.

Patented J an. 24, 1922;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. HORSFALL.

DISPLAY STAND.

APPLICATION FILED APR-5.1920.

1,404,439 1 Patenf-ed Jan. 24, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- 2% fidejzi orx J i y HERBERT HORSFALL, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSI MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONN EC CONNECTICUT.

GNOR/ TO SALTS TEXTILE TICUT, A CORPORATION OF DISPLAY STAND.

1 Application filed April 5,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT HORSFALL, a citizen of the ,United States, residin at Bridgeport, in the county of F airfield, tate of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Display Stands, of which the following is a'specification.

This invention relates to an improved display-stand or easel forholding and displaying textile goods or similar sheet materials in stores, salesrooms, and other mercantile establishments.

One object of the improvement is to provide a stand oreasel on which fine materials such as plushes, velvets, fur-effects and other pile-fabrics may be hung or suspended with their surfaces held apart and protected from contact to prevent marring or damaging the delicate finish of the goods.

Another object of the improvement is to provide a display-device or stand on which the goods may be compactly arranged to economize floor space, while permitting of easy and convenient inspection for examination of their textureand finish. A further object of theimprovement is to provide a display-stand which is easily portable to move the goods to different positions for storage or display, and from which the material may be conveniently unreeled or delivered in cutting it up for the trade.

Other objects of the improvement will appear from the detaileddescription of the invention contained in the following specification which is illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. l, is a view illustrating one embodiment of my improved stand in side elevation, with its rotatable turntable and bearing shown in section in an axial plane;

Fig. 2, an enlarged end view of the cloth frame or support on which the goods are stretched or hung;

Fig. 3, a detailed view of'one-of the endmembers of the cloth-support or frame, shown part sectional on the line X-X of lig. 2; v

Fig. 4c, a plan view of the base or pedestal of the stand, showing the turntable which is rotatably mounted thereon;

- Figs. 5, 6 and 7, enlarged detailed views of the clamping-means for fastening the cloth-frame to the turntable; and

Fig. 8, a view showing a modification in Specification of Letters Patent. Patented n. 24 1922 1920. Serial No. 371,192.

my improved display-stand or easel comprises, essentially, a base or pedestal 2; a revolving support or turntable 3 rotatably mounted on the pedestal, anda cloth-frame 4 supported on the turntable to revolve therewith. The cloth-frame or holder 4 for the fabric is preferably constructed with two opposite end-members or stretchers 5, fastened to the ends of a longitudinal stringer or board 6. The end members 5 may be formed from flat strips of metal bent into Y-shaped loops 7,'see Fig. 2, and having their connecting branches 8 bolted to the opposite sides of the board 6. The bolts 9 pass through slots 10 in the ends of the board 6 to provide for adjusting the members 5 toward and away from each other to accommodate strips of fabric of different widths stretched between them. Riveted to the sides of the angular arms of the members or stretcher-s 5 are strips of metal formed with depending cloth hooks 11, see Fig. 3; The hooks 11 are adapted to be pierced through the selvages of the cloth C to stretch it between the members 5 when it is reeled onto the frame in the manner as shown in Fig. 2. In applying the fabric to its frame or holder 4 the cloth is grasped at its marginal edges, drawn taut between the stretchers 4 and its selvagcs impaled on the hooks 11. Usually two operators stretch the piece of goods between them, and starting at the inner hooks, as shown at 12, Fig. 2, revolve the frame 4 on suitable supports while progressively fastening the cloth to the successive hooks 11. The finished side of the goods, that is to say, the pile surface on velvets, plushes and other pile-fabrics, is turned inwardly and the hooks 11 are spaced at a suitable distance apart to insure that the finished face of each length of fabric shall be separated and maintained free from contact with the back of the adjacent underlying length of fabric. In this way the soft, delicate pile of the fabric is protected from being marred or injured, either from its own contact, or from the handling of the goods in transit or while storing or displaying the same.

The base or pedestal of thestand may be of any preferred'form and structure and I have illustrated two different embodiments of this part of the device in the drawings.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the base 2 is constructed 'with a circular top-plate 15 provided with legs 16 projecting downwardly from its rim. Preferably, the legs 16 are mounted on rollers or casters 17 SW1V- eled'to their lower ends to provide for wheeling the stand along the floor on. which it sets. Fastened to the center of the topplate; 15 is a circular bearing-member 18 formed with an annular ball-race 19 adj acent its outer edge.

As shown in Fig. 4 the turntable 3 comprises afiat plate 20 having a central bearing disk'21 fastened to its under side and adapted'to overlie the bearing-member 18 on the base 2. The disk 21 is formed with a ball-race 22 adapted to receive a series of balls 23 held in the race 19 ofthe lower bearings-member. 18. A shouldered stud 24 is riveted through the center of the disk 21 and projects down through an axial bore.

in the bearing 18 and plate 15, with its lower end reduced in diameter and threaded to receive a nut 25. The nut 25 is set up against a washer 26 abutting the shoulder on the stud 24 and bearing against the under side of the plate 15 to prevent the disk 18 from'c'anting or lifting away from the balls in the lower race 19. The balls 23 take the downward thrust of the turntable 3 to support the weight of the cloth-fame 4 and the fabric. carried thereon; and thus an antifriction bearing is provided to adapt the frame to be revolved easily to unwind the cloth for displaying its finish, or for delivering itin lengths-as required to be cut from the piece. i

Y The turntable 3 may be circular in outline if desired, but preferably 1 construct it of skeleton form for the purpose of saving weight and economizing metal. As shown in Fig. 4 the turntable is of H-shape having end-pieces 26 connected'by parallel cross- 7 strips 27 fastened to the'bearing disk 21 by screws 28. In the end-pieces 26 I form inclined slot-s29 adapted to receive clampingmembers 30; for fastening the cloth-frame 4 ;to the top of the turntable. The clamps 30 may consist of bolts31 having hooks 32 at their upper ends adapted to hook over thearms 7 of the end-members 5 of the cloth-frame4. The bolts 31 project downwardly through the slots 29. and are slidable longitudinally thereof to adapt them for adjustment to accommodate cloth-frames of different sizes. Threaded onto the lower ends of the bolts .31 are thumb-nuts 33 which are screwed against washers 34 abutting the under-side of the turntable 3, thus acting to draw thehooks down against the end-members 5 to clamp the cloth-frame 4 in place.

Any other suitable means may be employed for clamping the cloth-frame to the top of the turntable 3, and in Figs. 6 and 7 I have illustrated an improved form of quick-acting clamp as next described." In this modification of the 'device' the clamphooks 35 are provided with eyes or loops 36 at their. lower ends adapted to receive pins 37 which act as pivots for finger-levers 38. The levers 38 are'formed with double, eccentric cam-faces 39 arranged to bear against the under face'of the turntable?) at the sides of the slots 29. When the'levers 38 are pressed upwardly, as shown in Fig.6, their cam-faces 39 act as wedges to draw the hooks down to bind against the endmembers 5 of the frame 4; while to release the hooks from .the frame-members it is only necessary to press downwardly on the levers to rotate their eccentric portions to loosen the hooks to free them from the frame; i

Fig. 8 of the drawings illustrates a modified form of base or' pedestal for the stand and a different type of bearing for its turntable which have certain advantages as being.

more economical to manufacture. In this embodiment of the invention the pedestal takes the form of a central standard or post 40 having spreading-legs 41 radiating from its base to set upon the floor, or if preferred, to be carried on castersas shown in Fig. 1.

The turntable 42 is provided with a centralhub 43 from which the top-plate 44 is supported and braced by radial ribs 45. 1 Driven into an axial bore in the hub 43, or otherwise suitably attached thereto, is a vertical shaft or spindle 46 fitted to turn in a bore 47 in the post or standard 40. The lower end of the spindle 46 is preferably formed with a beveled point 48 which pivots on the bottom of the bore 47, thereby providing a steppedbearing of anti-friction type as-well known in the arts. The spindle '46 is prevented from rising up in its bore 47 by means of a set-screw 49 screwed through the side of the post40 with its pointed end engaging an annular groove50 on the spindle.

Either of the above described forms; of

pedestal and bearing for the turntable provides a staunch and sturdy supportfor the cloth-frame which permits it to be easily revolved to unwind the goods therefrom.

In use my improved device holds a considerable quantity of fabric and "protects the delicate finish of the goodsjfrom injury by contact. When desired the material may be further protected from dust and dampness by simply throwing a coverover the stand...

My improved stand also provides for greater convenience in displaying the goods and'delivering them for cutting up in lengths as required. To exhibit the fabric for inspection of its texture, finish and color a short length may be turned back by unpinning its outer end and releasing it from the hooks on the ends of the frame 4:; and to unwind a greater length it is only necessary to revolve the frame with its turntable, while unhooking the selvages of the fabric to reel off any number of yards as required.

My improved display-stand besides being adapted for displaying fine goods such as pile-fabrics may also be used to good advantage with other materials; for instance, to hold coated fabrics, imitation leather or the like, where it is desirable to protect the finish faces of the goods from contact.

I believe I am the first to provide a device of this type having means for holding the fabric from surface contact, While allowing it to be conveniently unreeled for inspection or delivery in lengths as required; therefore I desire to claim the invention broadly as a new and useful improvement in the art.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a display-device for fabrics and the like, the combination with a reel-like cloth frame on which the fabric is wound, of a rotatable turntable, and means engageable with one end of the reel to clamp the latter to the turntable whereby the reel is rigidly supported thereon to rotate therewith to adapt the fabric to be unreeled for display or delivery.

2. In a display-device for fabrics and the like, the combination with a reel-like clothframe on which the cloth is wound, of a pedestal, a turntable rotatably mounted on the pedestal, and clamping-means on the turntable adapted to bind against the endhead of the cloth-frame to secure the latter rigidly against the top of the turntable to adapt it for rotation to unreel the fabric.

In a display-device for fabrics and the like, the combination with a reel-like clothframe comprising metal end-members connected by a longitudinal stringer, of a pedestal, a turntable rotatable on the pedestal, and clamping-members adjustable on the turntable to engage across the edge of the end-members of the cloth-frame to clamp the latter to the turntable to attach the frame rigidly thereto whereby it may be rotated to unreel the fabric.

4. In a display-device for fabrics or the like, the combination with a reel-like clothframe on which the fabric is wound, of a pedestal, a support for the cloth-frame rotatably mounted on the pedestal, clampinghooks on the support adapted to engage the end of the cloth-frame, and means to adjust the hooks to different positions on the support to adapt them to cooperate with clothframes of various sizes.

5. In a display-device for fabrics or the like, the combination with a reel-like clothframe on which the fabric is wound, of a pedestal, a support for the cloth-frame rotatably mounted on the pedestal, clampingmembers adjustable radially of the support to adapt them to be set in position to cooperate wili cloth-frames of various sizes, and means to tighten the clamping-members against the cloth-frame to secure the latter rigidly with the support.

6. In a display-device for fabrics or the like, the combination wit-h a reel-like clothframe having skeleton end-members, of a support for the cloth-frame provided with slots, hooks slidable in the slots to adjust them into position to hook over the endmembers of the cloth-frame, and means to clamp the hooks against the end-members to secure the cloth-frame rigidly on the support.

7. In a display-device for fabrics or the like, the combination with a reel-like frame for holding the fabric, of a support for the frame, clamping-means on the support for engaging with the end of the frame, and cam-levers for operating the clampingmeans to bind the latter against the frame to fasten it rigidly to the support.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HER-BERT HORSFALL. 

